Mayor Eric Garcetti endorses L.A. council candidate Carolyn Ramsay

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announces his endorsement of City Council candidate Carolyn Ramsay to represent District 4, which stretches from Sherman Oaks to the Miracle Mile. (Emily Alpert Reyes / The Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti threw his support to City Council District 4 candidate Carolyn Ramsay on Tuesday, praising her experience and judgment.

"You need somebody with experience that knows how to get things done, but the backbone to sometimes say, 'No, my constituents need something different,'" Garcetti said at a press conference in front of the Ramsay campaign office on Melrose Avenue. "And Carolyn Ramsay will be that voice."

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The announcement marks the latest City Hall endorsement for Ramsay, who is in a May 19 runoff against community health center development director David Ryu to represent a district that stretches from Sherman Oaks to the Miracle Mile.

Ramsay, former chief of staff to termed-out Councilman Tom LaBonge, said she was honored to get the endorsement. She has already been endorsed by City Council President Herb Wesson and several other council members, along with City Atty. Mike Feuer.

Ramsay also recently got the endorsement of the County Federation of Labor, an umbrella organization representing hundreds of local unions. Its leader Rusty Hicks said Ramsay "will be well positioned to get to work on Day One."

Ryu, in turn, has received the backing of the county Democratic Party and Councilman Bernard C. Parks, known as a budget hawk and frequent dissident on the council.

Ryu, who has campaigned as a City Hall outsider, has also picked up support from a number of neighborhood activists upset with LaBonge and Ramsay, including Miracle Mile Residential Assn. president James O'Sullivan.

"While we respect the mayor, this doesn't change the basic shape of the race," Ryu campaign spokeswoman Rachel Estrada said Tuesday. "This has always been a David vs. Goliath fight to change the status quo at City Hall."